perry



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shawl.V

y T. L.- PBRRY 4 TWO WHBELBD'VBHIGLE.

No. 368,001. Patented Aug. 9, 1887.l

(No Model.) 8 sneetsS-sheet 2l P. L. PERRY.

TWO WHEELBD VEHICLE.

180.888,001. Patented Aug.' 9 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANoIs L. FERRY, oF CANANDAIGUA, NEW Yoan.

TWO- WHEELED VEHICLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 368,001, dated August 9, 1887.

Application filed December 4, 1886. Serial No. 0,700. (No model.)

T all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANcIsLVPERRY, of Canandaigua, in the county of Ontario and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sulkies or Two- Wheeled Vehicles; andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled .in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates vto sulkies or two! Wheeled vehicles.

The object of invention is to provide a method of attachment of the sulky or cart body to the axle and shafts, that will permit the suspension of the vehicle-body at different points in regard to the center of weight of the occupant, to accommodate different weights.

A further object is to construct a semi-elliptic plate spring in a manner to afford additional vstrength where bolt-holes are formed through its body, and also an improved means of connecting this semi-elliptic plate spring to its end supports that are joined to the axle and shafts of the vehicle.

'A further object is to provide metal straps. or bracket-plates to support the cross-spring in secured contact with the sills of the body in a manner to relieve the bolts that connect these parts from all lateral strain.

A further object is ,to so construct stay-braces for the bows of the shafts that they will also furnish points for the swinging attachment of the looped ends of the main semi-elliptic spring of the vehicle, as well as means for the secure attachment of the shafts to the axle.

Another essential feature of the present in vention consists inthe yielding or elastic means of connection employed to suspend the front endA ofthe vehicle-body upon the cross-bar of the shafts, to permit free elastic play of the main elliptic cross-spring and prevent a strain of the body.

A further object is to so devise a sulky or two-wheeled vehicle that great strength,a compact disposition of material, light weight, and regulated elasticity are afforded, While beauty of design and comparative economy in cost of production are also attained.

With these objects in view my invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, that will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

' In the drawings making a part of this specification, Figure I is a side elevation of the vehicle-body and attached gear. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device. Fig. 3 is a rear end elevation of the body and running-gear. Fig. 4 is a front and side view of the body and its attached gear. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the main spring of the sulky or'cart.

4In the construction of sulkies or two-wheeled wagons of a similar type it isessential that the degree of elasticity of the vehicle be graded to the weight of the occupant, in order that ease and comfort may be attained. Heretofore no provision has been made to effect such a change of elasticity or control of the vertical action of the crossspring in a sulky or twowheeled cart without a removal and change or substitution of a heavier or lighter spring for the one in use.

I have in my present invention obviated the necessity of a radical change of the spring, and accomplish the desired result of increasing or checking the free play of the main cross-spring by changing its points of suspension with regard to the center of weight of the driver. To explain more fully, I construct a spring of such relative elasticity and supporting strength as to give the best results when located slightly in the rear of the center of Weight of the user of the vehicle if he is of a maximum Weight. The spring is changed when it is desired to accommodate a party who is of' medium weight by moving its point of secured attachment so as to bring the center of Weight somewhat in advance of its position for a heavy persons use, and if the vehicle is to be adjusted for a lightweight individual the spring is moved to a proper point in Iadvance of the last-mentioned position, so as to throw the load more to the rear, and by the leverage obtained actuate the spring and obtain the same effect in regard to ease as results from the previous arrangement of the spring to Suit heavier occupants of the vehicle. This will be more fully 4manifested by a detailed description of the device and reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- A represents Athe body of the sulky. It is preferably made of bent elastic wood, although IOC metal may also be employed, if desired. I do not restrict myself to the use of this style of body, but give it preference on account of lightness and availability for the purpose. The axle B is somewhat arched, and is preferably, although not of necessity, located above the bottom sills of the cart or sulky, and is extended upon each side of the body to obtain proper track width.

The shafts C are curved at their rear ends to give the requisite elevation of the horizontal portions and permit the secure attachment of their rear ends to the outer ends of the axle. This connection of parts is preferably made with strap-bolts c a, that have their plates bent to coliform to the curved ends of the shafts, and are bolted or otherwise rigidly secured thereto.

Two diagonal braces, D, are fastened at the ends b upon the shafts C, and their lower portions are bent and flattened to form clip-plates b for the reception 0l' the strap-bolts a a', proper perforations being made through the clip-plates b' to permit the insertion of the threaded ends ofthe strap-bolts. The diagonal braces l) also furnish a rigid support for the axle B by their connection of the axle to an advanced point on the body of the shafts C. The plates b are extended to the rear of the axle, and are bent down and outward, the outer pieces being made of suitable shape and size to afford a step or foot-rest for use of a party entering the vehicle.

A curved plate-spring, E, of semi-elliptie form, is made from one or more plates of a suitable thickness to give necessary tensional strength and proper elasticity. This spring is curved .to turn its ends upwardly, the center portion being arched or given a proper degree of curvature opposite tothe bend given to its ends.

The spring Eis secu red beneath the body A, upon the sills c, by screws or bolts, the holes for the reception of thelagserews or carriagebolts being forced through the body of Vthe leaves of the spring at proper points to line wit-h the sills. The punching through the leaves of the spring E with a pointed tool does not remove the material, and by performing the operation upon a proper die that is eon cave on its face the holes will have their edges made to project from the face of the leaf in a semi-conical form without increased width of the spring-plate. This method of construction gives increased strength to resist fracture at this point, that would otherwise be weakened if perforated by a punch, which would cut a blank or disk of metal from the plate, the upturned flange or conical edge stiffening the spring without loss of material.

Two bracket-bands or wearing-plates, F, are rigidly attached to the lower faces of the sills c. These are of a proper length to distribute the weight of the occupant of the seat above upon a sufiieient portion of these sills to afford stability of attachment. The plates F have perforations that are made in a manner similar to the formation of the conical punched holes in the plates of the spring E, the conical protuberances on the spring being intended to register with the concave indentations of the plates F, the conical projecting portions of the latter being lctinto the wood ofthe sills to permit the inner surface of these plates to bear properly upon the surface ofthe sills c when they are secured thereon.

The outer ends ofthe spring E are furnished with clips or loops c. These are perforated through their bodies to afford a means of attachment to the spring ends, in which similar holes are formed to accommodate proper bolts, g, therein. The loops c are made of leather or other suitable material, and are attached to the clip-plates b by means of the depending bracket-loops h, that are aiiixed to the body of the clip-plates b'bya threaded bolt end that projects from their upper surface to enter tapped holes in the clip-plates b.

The loops c may be made to embrace the ends of the spring E between their ends, or these ends may be compressed together and be attached tg either side of the spring ends in the manner before indicated.

The portions of the bracket-loops It that are made to receive the loops c of the spring Eare rounded in their body, so as to permitan easy movement thereon, forming in effect a hinged connection at these points.

The bodies of the clip-plates b are rounded outside the strap-bolt holes where the shafts connect to these plates b', and thus afford bearingpoints for the loops c ofthe spring E, and dispense with the depending bracketloops 7L in light vehicles.

The spring E may be attached at or near its longitudinal center to the body Aof the vehicle by rigidly affixing it centrally to a cressbar, and then attaching this transverse bar by its ends to the sills c.

Upon the upper, inner, or outer surface of the dasher or front portion, G, of the sulhy or cart the strap-irons t' are secured, and to the top ends of these strapsz the ends of the curved plate spring ll are bolted or otherwise adjustably secured. The strap-irons may extend downwardly to form stay-plates for the bent front ends of the sills a a', and have their upper ends made to project at a proper angle above the dasher or top edge o1' the front of the body, these extensions being perforated with a series of spaced holes to permit the position ofthe body to be changed with regard to the spring H. This alteration in the relative adjustment of connected parts is necessary to permit the forward or rearward adjustinent of the spring E with regard to the shaft and axle braces, as before explained. In order to prevent noise where the crossspring ends are in connection with the strap-irons t', gum washers of suitable thickness are interposed between the opposed surfaces of these parts, the connecting-bolts holding these ends and the straps in rigid contact; and, if desired, leather loops i may be secured in place upon IZO 4ments of the spring E.

the shaft cross-bar to embrace the spring ends and prevent too great oscillation of the body at these points.

The cross-bar I of the shaft Gis iattened to form a bearing for the elliptical plate-spring Het its center, and a center bolt, m, is inserted through perforations made in the bar and spring at this point.

It will be noticed that the bearing-face of the spring H is made to incline at sueh an au- 4gle from a horizontal plane that a line corresponding with its upper surface projected to the rear will extend diagonally downward and intersect the center of the axle of the vehicle. This method of construction and center attachment of the spring H to the cross-bars I of the shafts is designed to permit a limited lateral oscillation of the `Vehicle-body A when the elasticity of the spring E yields to lateral sway of the weight of an occupant, owing to rough road-bed or other causes.

When it is desired to change the position of the spring E to suit a change of weight upon the seat, the bolts that enter perforations in the strap-irons z' are withdrawn, the loops of the spring E are also removed,and the vehiclebody'moved to' a proper point on the axle braces, and there secured by the loop attaeh- The bolts that connect the strapirons i to the ends of the spring H are now inserted and properly adjusted to fasten these ends and the intermediate gum Washers together.

It is evident that many slight changes may be made in the construction of the parts and their combination together without violation of the spirit of thisinvention. I do not therefore wish to limit myself to the exact forms shown; but,

Having fully described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In Aatwo-wheel vehicle,the combination, with a main cross-spring, of au axle, shafts secured thereto, and an adjustable device con,

necting the spring and the shafts or axle, substantially as set forth.

2. Shaft and axlebraces provided with removable supports for cross-spring suspension at different points, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination,with an axle and shafts and elongated supports for the cross-spring, ofl

4. rlhe combinaton,with an axle and shafts,

elongated supports, and detachable bearings adapted to be adj usted on said supports, of a spring the ends of which are connected to said bearings, substantially as set forth.

5. Ihe coinbination,with an axle and shafts, and braces connecting the axle and shafts and terminating at their rear ends in foot rests or steps, of a spring the ends of which are connected to said braces,substantially as set forth.

6. The combination,with an axle, shafts, and a cross-bar connecting the latter, of a spring secured at or near its center to said cross-bar and resting against the bar, and a Vehiclebod y connected to the free ends of the springs, substantially as set forth.

7. Au arched cross-spring secured to the shaft cross-bar at its center and at its ends to the upper portion of the forward end of the Vehiclebody by means of connecting-irons constructed to permita change of secured position ofthe body toward the front or rear of the shaft cross-bar, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination,with a body supported upon an axle and two wheels, ofa main cr0ssspring adapted to connect in front of, below, or to the rear of the axle to change the position of body-support,substantialiy asset forth.

9. The combination,with a body supported upon an axle and two wheels, of a main crossspring, shafts and axle-braces, the said vmain cross-spring adjustably or changeably connected to these braces, two shafts, a shaft crossbar, and a cross-spring to connect yieldingly the front end of the vehicle with the shaft cross-bar, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination,with an axle and two Wheels, of two bent shafts and two diagonal braces, the latter extended to afford support to a main cross-spring at different points, substantially as set forth. y

1l. The combination,with a body and front erossvspriug, of a main cross-spring attached to the sills of thebody, thespring and sillsbeing beneath the axle, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS L. PERRY.

Witnesses:

F. E. SAMrsoN P. F. IV. HoL'r.

IOO 

